Touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback, comprising a first layer S 1 , a mechanically flexible display medium, a second layer S 2  with at least one receptor, and a third layer S 3  with at least one controllable actuator. The second layer S 2  is disposed in such a way that the receptor detects a contact in at least one section of the first layer S 1  and generates at least one first signal. The third layer S 3  is disposed in such a way that the controllable actuator mechanically manipulates the first layer S 1  at least in some points of the section. The display is further provided with a control device μP that is designed and contacted with the second layer S 2  and the third layer S 3  to generate in an initial state at least one second signal for controlling the actuator, at least one modified second signal being generated on the basis of the first signal.

[0001] The invention relates to a touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback.

[0002] Touch-sensitive displays, “touchscreens”, are used predominantly in so-called touchscreen terminals which can be operated by a user touching the screen with a finger, whereby the keyboard and mouse known from the PC are generally dispensed with.

[0003] A confirmation that an input effected by a user has actually taken place is in general obtained by means of audiovisual feedback, for example by means of a beep sound or a change of color of the display area when the display is touched.

[0004] Touchscreen terminals are set up at trade fairs, presentations or in the reception areas of companies in order to enable dialog with customers. Touchscreen terminals can similarly also be found at airports and in city centers as information terminals for tourists, and in manufacturing facilities for data entry and control purposes in production processes.

[0005] One disadvantage experienced with the latterly mentioned applications are loud and irregularly occurring ambient noises which occur at airports and in streets and production facilities, with the result that there is a danger of audible feedback being masked by the ambient noises and going unnoticed by the user.

[0006] Visual feedback is similarly dependent on ambient influences. For example, direct or reflected sunlight can cause irritation, with the result that the visual feedback does not achieve the desired effect. In addition, situations also occur whereby users obscure areas of the display intended for the visual feedback with their hand.

[0007] Furthermore, a touch-sensitive monitor is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,565, in which tactile feedback is initiated when an input is made by a user touching the screen, whereby to this end an oscillating coil is driven in such a way by a microprocessor that it triggers a mechanical stimulus which causes the housing of the monitor to vibrate so that the user can also feel that his input has been detected in addition to receiving the audiovisual feedback.

[0008] The disadvantage of this solution is that regardless of which input has been made by the user touching the screen, the same tactile feedback always occurs and a differentiation is only possible when taken in conjunction with the audiovisual feedback which is still present as before.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is to set down a touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback which resolves the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] This object is achieved by the features described in claim 1

[0011] According to the invention, a touchsensitive display with tactile feedback has a first mechanically flexible layer which is designed such that it functions as a display, for example a membrane known as electronic paper, a second layer having at least one receptor, a third layer having at least one controllable actuator, whereby the second layer is disposed in such a way that the receptor detects a contact in at least one section of the first layer and generates at least one first signal, and whereby the third layer is disposed in such a way that the controllable actuator mechanically manipulates the first layer at least in some points of the section, and also a control device which is designed and contacted with the second layer and the third layer in such a way that in an initial state at least one second signal for controlling the actuator is generated, whereby at least one modified second signal is generated on the basis of the first signal.

[0012] The display according to the invention enables the detection of a contact with the display by means of the receptor, whereby a tactile feedback is given directly at the location of the contact, at which, for example in the case of a virtual keypad represented on the display which can be operated by pressing on the corresponding position of the display, for each of the keys represented in the keypad a tactile delimitation and/or a keyboard label is implemented by means of an actuator, which is also useful in particular with regard to the implementation of a terminal for visually impaired or blind persons. It is conceivable, for example, that keyboard and labels are displayed for sighted persons whilst at the same time an output is generated in Braille for blind persons by means of the actuator beneath the displayed key.

[0013] By exercising appropriate control (software), in order to get closer to the impression of a real keyboard it is possible to generate the feeling of the virtual key yielding or locking and it is even possible to simulate a slider control in that a virtual key representing a slider control follows the key being touched or dragged, whereby in addition the surface of a slider control of this type could be generated in particular to be rough and giving a good grip. As a result of the display according to the invention the user receives an intuitive level of feedback which offers the user a greater degree of confidence when handling a touch-sensitive display and minimizes or neutralizes the influence of disruptive noise and lighting conditions.

[0014] Particularly suitable for use as the first layer are display media which are designed in accordance with the “electronic paper”, “microencapsulated electrophoretic display” or “organic electro-luminescence” technologies since these are very thin and, designed as a flexible membrane, yield to mechanical forces, such as are generated by the actuator, which in particular act in localized fashion on the membrane surface. In this situation, the membrane is designed to be elastic in such a way that it returns to the initial state prior to the effect of the mechanical force as soon as the force effect is removed.

[0015] An embodiment of the receptor as a light grid enables the indirect detection of contacts since such a light grid situated just above the first layer simply detects the location at which a user interrupts the light of the grid, with his finger for example, in order to touch a virtual key. Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage that the second layer is formed by the air, which is limited only by the facilities used to implement the light grid, with the result that the actuator experiences no additional resistance when performing mechanical manipulation in localized fashion and requires little drive energy.

[0016] The embodiment of the actuator as a matrix arrangement of electrically and/or magnetically driven pins permits the generation of a roughness and good grip characteristic for the virtual keys, and is in particular especially suitable for implementation of the output of a text display for blind persons.

[0017] A matrix of movable pins lying perpendicular to the display as a receptor is suitable for simulating the locking or yielding to a key depression. The detection of a virtual slider control is also simple to implement with this embodiment since only the state of adjacent pins needs to be checked in order to determine the direction of slider movement.

[0018] Arranging pins of the actuator matrix and the receptor matrix in alternation beside one another on the same level (layer) saves space.

[0019] Even more advantageous is an embodiment whereby the pins simultaneously fulfil the dual functions of actuator and receptor. By this means, the delimitation or labeling of a virtual key can be generated in an effective and space-saving manner (pins extended), whereby pressing (in) the pins enables detection of the contact on the one hand and the yielding or locking on the other. In addition, as a result of having the receptor and actuator functions in the same location, a more precise association between the detected contact point and the displayed virtual information is possible.

[0020] Piezoelectric elements are particularly suitable for drive purposes and for the detection of contacts since they are able to directly convert voltages (signals), generated by microprocessors for example, into pressure or movement and, in the opposite direction, pressure into voltages (signals) which can be immediately processed further, by microprocessors.

[0021] Electromagnetic elements are known, just like the piezoelectric elements, for the implementation of text output for blind persons, Braille, and are therefore easily obtained. One of the advantages of providing a sensor mat as the receptor is that the sensor mat can be procured cheaply as a mass-production item.

[0022] If the second layer is designed as a transparent sensor mat which in addition comes to be located immediately above the first layer, the mechanically flexible display medium is protected since it is no longer directly exposed to contact from a user. The life expectancy of the display medium, with its associated increased (procurement) costs when compared with the sensor mat, is increased.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the single figure. This shows:

[0024] Side view of the layer structure of a touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback.

[0025] The figure shows a side view of a display structured in three layers S₁, S₂ and S₃, whereby a transparent flexible sensor mat comes to be located in the first layer S,.

[0026] This sensor mat is designed such that it detects contacts and generates at least one first signal which at least determines the location (Cartesian coordinates) of the contact.

[0027] Immediately above this first layer S₁ is located the second layer S₂ which is formed by a flexible plastic membrane and is designed using the technology known as electronic paper.

[0028] Electronic paper is the name used by experts for a technology which combines the advantages of flat screens and printer ink on paper, in which tiny color capsules containing at least two colors—black and white for example—are used and the one or the other of their sides is made to point upwards on a paper surface, depending on an electrical charge. So-called plastic transistors are intended for use in controlling the electrical field required for this purpose.

[0029] Alternative technologies known to experts are “organic electroluminescence membranes” or “microencapsulated electrophoretic displays” which similarly permit an embodiment in the form of flexible, extremely thin display media.

[0030] The use of this technology on a membrane which is designed to be mechanically flexible and elastic is intended for the arrangement according to the invention in order that it can be mechanically manipulated in points so as to produce bulges on the surface of the membrane which are automatically returned to the normal state on termination of the mechanical manipulation.

[0031] Beneath the second layer S₂ is located the third layer S₃ which is formed by means of an area-covering matrix consisting of “knobs” N_(l) . . . N_(m), designed as nylon or metal pins, which are arranged perpendicularly to the membrane surface and located so as to allow movement by piezoelectric operation.

[0032] In this situation, the three layers S₁, S₂ and S₃ are arranged in such a way that the piezoelectrically operated knobs N_(l) . . . N_(m) are able to mechanically manipulate the first two layers S₁ and S₂ in points such that in an initial state keyboard delimitations and/or labels of a virtual keypad are generated on the surface of the second layer by knobs N_(l) . . . N_(m) located beside one another, and can be felt by touch there. In this situation, the labeling can be generated in Braille in order that sighted users have the opportunity to see a virtual keyboard and its functionality displayed on the display medium, where they are able to feel the keyboard delimitation, while at the same time visually impaired users have the capability to feel the keyboard functionality by means of the Braille generated by the knobs N_(l) . . . N_(m).

[0033] At least the second layer S₂ and the third layer S₃ are connected to a control unit μP which is designed in such a way that it is implemented in an initial state, in other words a state in which no input has (yet) been made by contact, for example a virtual keypad and/or a virtual menu bar resulting from the generation of at least one second signal, for controlling the knob matrix N₁ . . . N_(m). Furthermore, the control unit μP is designed in such a way that is generates at least one new second signal as a result of a contact on the sensor mat, whereby the contact must have taken place in a permitted area, in other words an area in which a virtual control element is displayed.

[0034] In addition, the control unit μP is also connected to another unit controlling the display, or forms a unit together with it, such that control signals for generating changes in the virtual control elements as a result of operator actions are also generated.

[0035] As an alternative to the sensor mat, a light grid may also be located in the second layer S₂.

[0036] Light grids generally consist of two transmitter strips arranged perpendicular to one another, which each emit a plurality of light beams, and also receiver strips located opposite each transmitter strip, which detect the light beams. The light beams from the transmitter strips arranged perpendicular to one another cross in this situation and create a light grid. In the event of penetration of the light grid, the absence of at least one light beam on the receiver strips arranged perpendicular to one another is detected in each case in such a way that pairs of coordinates can be formed which serve to determine precisely the location of penetration. The coordinates ascertained can then be sent as a first signal to the control unit μP.

[0037] In this situation, the light grid is arranged in such a way above the first layer S₁ that the bulges in points on the display surface produced by the knob matrix N_(l) . . . N_(m) do not interrupt any light beams. 

1. Touch-sensitive display with tactile feedback, characterized by a) a first layer S₁ with a mechanically flexible display medium, b) a second layer S₂ with at least one receptor, c) a third layer S₃ with at least one controllable actuator, d) the second layer S₂ being disposed in such a way that receptor detects a contact in at least one section of the first layer S₁ and generates at least one first signal, e) the third layer being disposed in such a way that the controllable actuator mechanically manipulates the first layer S₁ at least in some points of the section, f) a control device μP which is designed and contacted with the second layer S₂ and the third layer S₃ in such a way that in an initial state at least one second signal for controlling the actuator is generated, whereby at least one modified second signal is generated on the basis of the first signal.
 2. Display according to claim 1, characterized in that the display medium is a membrane which is designed in accordance with the “electronic paper”, “microencapsulated electrophoretic display” or “organic electroluminescence” technologies.
 3. Display according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptor is designed as a light grid.
 4. Display according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a) the actuator is a first matrix arrangement of electrically and/or magnetically driven moveable pins N_(l) . . . N_(m), b) the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) can move perpendicular to the surface of the first layer S₁.
 5. Display according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a) the receptor is a second matrix arrangement of electrically and/or magnetically driven moveable pins N_(l) . . . N_(m), b) the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) can move perpendicular to the surface of the first layer S₁.
 6. Display according to claim 5, characterized in that the second layer S₂ and third layer S₃ form a common layer, whereby the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) of the first matrix arrangement and the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) of the second matrix arrangement are located beside one another.
 7. Display according to claim 6, characterized in that the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) are designed to act simultaneously as actuator and receptor.
 8. Display according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pins N_(l . . . N) _(m) are piezoelectric elements.
 9. Display according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pins N_(l) . . . N_(m) are electromagnetic elements.
 10. Display according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second layer S₂ is a sensor mat.
 11. Display according to claim 10, characterized in that a) the first layer S₁ comes to be located beneath the second layer S₂, b) the second layer S₂ is transparent and flexible. 